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Authorities raid property of Alburgh selectman

Law enforcement authorities raided the property of an Alburgh Selectboard member and his wife Wednesday, the Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department said, the home of Bernard and Patricia Savage and their business, B P Autoworks, state and phone records show.(Photo: WAYNE SAVAGE/for the FREE PRESS)

Law enforcement authorities raided the property of an Alburgh Selectboard member and his wife Wednesday, the Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department said.

The property on U.S. 2 south of the village includes the home of Bernard and Patricia Savage and their business, B P Autoworks, state and phone records show.

Multiple attempts to reach the Savages were unsuccessful. A recorded message on their phone said they expect to be closed down for a few days.

"We had a little problem," a woman's voice said on the recording and noted the house "was torn apart."

"Nothing to say … we will get it figured out," said the woman, who did not identify herself on the message. By Wednesday night, the phone appeared out of order after ringing once or twice.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration was the lead agency on the raid, according to Vermont State Police Lt. Kirk Cooper and Grand Isle County Sheriff Ray Allen.

Attempts to reach Special Agent Brian Villella, who directs the DEA in Vermont, were unsuccessful. Administration officials in Boston also did not respond to messages seeking information.

Chief Tyler Gotshall of the Alburgh Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department said investigators asked firefighters not to discuss the nature of the raid.

"It's still under investigation," the chief said.

Gotshall said he was unsure how long Bernard Savage had served the town as a Selectboard member.

Cooper, the state police night watch commander, said he was aware his department was part of the Alburgh raid but referred calls to the DEA.

Sheriff Allen said his agency received a courtesy phone call from state police Wednesday morning that troopers were part of a team going to execute a search warrant on the Savage property, and U.S. 2 might be shut down when the authorities hit the property.